Testosterone Lawsuits
Drug companies have marketed testosterone replacement therapy for unapproved purposes, leading to life-threatening complications, such as heart attack and stroke. Many men are filing lawsuits against these companies for undue harm.
Why File a Testosterone Lawsuit?
Drug makers have marketed testosterone replacement therapy as a fountain of youth for aging men. Ironically, these drugs have led to stroke, heart attack and death. Some men and/or their families are filing lawsuits for the harm and side effects of low T drugs.
Some of the common brands of low T drugs that have caused complications in men include:
- Androgel
- Androderm
- Axiron
- Fortesta
- Testapel
- Striant
- Delatestryl
- Testim
The original purpose of testosterone drugs, however, was treating men with hypogonadism, or low testosterone. Testosterone is meant to treat actual medical problems like genetic deficiencies, chemotherapy side effects or damaged testicles. It’s not meant to keep the effects of aging at bay.
Few men have low T, which can cause many symptoms common in aging men: decreased muscle mass, fatigue, depression and low sex drive. There can be many other causes other than low testosterone for these symptoms.
The risks of taking low T drugs outweighs the benefits for some men. There are treatments other than testosterone for things like fatigue. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration has never approved testosterone medications for uses such as erectile dysfunction and fatigue.
If you or a loved one suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking low T medication, you could be entitled to monetary compensation through a lawsuit. Call one of our advocates now to discuss your options.
“Among men aged 65 years and older, we observed a two-fold increase in the risk of [heart attack] in the 90 days after filling an initial [testosterone therapy] prescription.” - Increased Risk of Non-Fatal Myocardial Infarction Following Testosterone Therapy Prescription in Men, WD Finkle et al, 2014
Who is Responsible for Testosterone Complications?
People filing testosterone lawsuits hold the manufacturers of these drugs responsible. Companies like AbbVie made over $1 billion in sales profits from low T drugs in 2013. As lawsuits started piling up, sales growth for these medications declined, but pharmaceutical companies have defended their products tooth and nail despite the harm caused to consumers.
Some of the top manufacturers responsible and their products include:
- AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories
- Endo Pharmaceuticals
- Eli Lilly
- Pfizer
Product: Androgel
Products: Aveed, Fortesta, Natesto, Striant, Testim, Testopel
Product: Axiron
Product: Depo-Testosterone
Legal Complaints Against Manufacturers
Plaintiffs in testosterone lawsuits file complaints based on the dangers drug companies exposed their consumers to. The variety of different complaints essentially get to one point: testosterone manufacturers could have prevented the harm their drugs caused. Some complaints commonly seen in a testosterone legal complaint include:
- Marketing testosterone for unintended and untested purposes
- Failing to properly warn consumers of the health risks of testosterone
- Profiting from a harmful product
- Causing preventable injury to consumers
Testosterone Litigation
Filing a lawsuit for complications caused by low T drugs gives you compensation for medical bills, the pain they suffered and justice for being recommended a dangerous product. Because low T drugs are widely prescribed drugs, many people have sued the same companies.
To simplify the legal process, these lawsuits have been combined into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). In these types of lawsuits, one judge familiar with low T drugs and its negative effects can quickly preside over the flood of cases.
MDL’s are often beneficial to plaintiffs because the evidence of their case goes into the pool of other people with similar cases, giving plaintiff’s attorneys a huge hive of resources. Testosterone lawsuits are consolidated into MDL 2545 in the United States District Court of Northern Illinois.
As of December 2015, over 3,500 testosterone claims are part of MDL 2545.Getting an Attorney Who Knows Testosterone
Drug companies should never have marketed testosterone as a way for older men to increase their vitality. These drugs were never approved or tested to treat the natural effects of aging.
Attorneys experienced in testosterone lawsuits understand that if you or a loved one experienced a heart attack or stroke, you undeservingly suffered. Attorneys who understand these cases are also more equipped to take on large pharmaceutical companies in court. A good attorney can help you access the compensation you deserve.
Last Edited: November 1, 2017
